Sikhism
Religion and theology research paper writers will explicate Sikhism and all the elements of the religion.
Founded over 500 years ago, Sikhism is a religion that is believed to be ahead of its time. In fact, it is one of the fastest growing religions worldwide today.
- Currently, there are over 20 million Sikhists worldwide.
- Sikhism is ranked as the fifth most practiced religion in the world behind Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc.
- The Sikhism religion is based on the sacred scripture, Guru Granth Sahib.
- This Guru Granth Sahib reinforces the belief of unity of all mankind, the existence of one creator, the practice of selfless service, striving of social justice for the benefit of all, and honest conduct.
The scripture also supports the combined effort of faith and meditation, livelihood in households, self-control, purity, and fidelity. Simran is one of the basic tenants of Sikhism. Simply, Sikhists are expected to meditate on the words of Guru Granth Sahib and express their support and gratefulness internally or through music. Having control over the five thieves is also a basic tenant of the religion. These five thieves include lust, rage, greed, attachment, and conceit. Some argue that these are comparative to the seven deadly sins that are recognized in the Christian religion. Peace and salvation are additional tenants of Sikhism. It is the main goal of all Sikhists to participate in positive actions throughout their life to experience and convey peace to others. Positive actions throughout their life will also result in their salvation and the salvation of others in society.
Information to Include in a Research Paper on Sikhism
The term Sikh means "disciple" and that the faith was founded by Nanak (now called Sri Guru Nanak Deva), who lived between 1469 and 1539 C.E. and was born into the Kshastraya caste. As a youth Nanak wandered and formulated in his mind the tenets of a new creed which both contrasted with, and partially reflected, the prevailing socio-religious climate of late 15th and early 16th century India, a climate in which the polytheism, liturgical-ceremonial emphasis, and belief in a rigid caste system of portions of Hinduism existed alongside Mohammadenism, a monotheistic faith, and alongside a welter of other creeds as well. Nanak espoused a soteriology based not upon performance of ritual, but upon faith and good works, and an egalitarian emphasis based on the notion of the brotherhood of all men, the sisterhood of all women, and absolute equality between the two genders.
The Kshastrya caste was the caste of the secular nobility which provided military and political leadership. The Brahman caste, superior in status to the Kshastraya, constituted the Hindu priesthood; the Vaisya caste, next beneath the Kshastraya, was that of the merchant, artisan, and land-working classes. The fourth Hindu caste was laborers (Varnas). The theological status of the first three castes was superior to the fourth, but all four were said to "have caste" or be a part of the caste system. A fifth group of people, who labored in "unclean" occupations, were considered to be without caste; these were/are what moderns call the untouchables. Itinerancy is a common theme in the religious life of India.